Rear disk Removal
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Rear disk Removal
The ineviable happened when adjusting the parking brakes on my 79 - the first wheel went just like in the book; however, the second wheel (after much liquid wrench) decided that little pieces inside would rather break than yield. So, I now get to get an up close and personal look at the emergency brake system - well, not quite yet. Before I take out my trusty drill, I want to make sure I'm putting holes in the right places. What I see are 5 flat heads around the lug bolts each about 3/4 inch in diameter. Are these the "rivets" all the manuals point to (no diagram, of course) that have to be removed to get the disk off? Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,408
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Don't drill too far! The rivet heads are about 0.1 inches thick. The first one I drilled, I went right into the spindle (i.e. half axle). I did all the remaining with no damaage to the spindle. The rivets are soft and easy to drill. Of course, after drilling all the rivet heads off and removing the rotors, I still had the remains of the rivets stuck in the spindle flange. I tried half-heartedly to knock them out, but finally decided that complete removal was a job for the shop that was going to redo my rear axle bearings. They pressed them out. Actually this is all kinda fun.
Last edited by 68/70Vette; Jan 24, 2006 at 09:17 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 365
Likes: 1
From: Glenview IL
I was able to punch out the rest of the rivet after drilling with little or no effort. They popped right out. Pretty simple job to get the rotor off. The PB shoes are another story. I've had mine off 3 times in the past year and have become rather profecient at it. The first time it's a PITA.....
Good luck.
Good luck.
